Attorney Resume Example and Writing Guide for 2025
Use this proven attorney resume template that helped legal professionals land positions at top law firms and corporate legal departments.
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94
Reading Level:
Professional
Keywords Matched:
15
3 Professional Summary Examples for Attorneys
Accomplished Attorney with 10+ years of experience in corporate law, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Proven track record of successfully managing complex legal matters, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering strategic legal counsel to Fortune 500 companies. Expert in contract negotiation, risk assessment, and dispute resolution with a strong background in mergers & acquisitions and securities law.
Why it works:
This summary emphasizes extensive experience, leadership capabilities, and specialized expertise in high-value legal areas that senior attorneys are expected to handle.
Dedicated Attorney with 5+ years of experience in civil litigation, contract law, and legal research. Skilled in case preparation, client counseling, and courtroom advocacy with a strong record of favorable outcomes. Proficient in legal writing, discovery management, and settlement negotiations while maintaining excellent client relationships and meeting tight deadlines.
Why it works:
This summary highlights practical legal experience, core competencies, and client-focused results that demonstrate growth beyond entry-level responsibilities.
Recent law school graduate and licensed Attorney with strong academic credentials and internship experience in legal research, brief writing, and client intake. Demonstrated proficiency in legal analysis, case law research, and document preparation through clinical programs and summer associate positions. Eager to apply analytical skills and legal knowledge in a dynamic law firm environment.
Why it works:
This summary focuses on educational achievements, relevant internship experience, and foundational legal skills that new attorneys possess while showing enthusiasm for professional growth.
Must Have Skills for Attorneys
Core Legal Skills
Legal Research
Brief Writing
Contract Drafting
Litigation Support
Client Counseling
Case Management
Legal Technology
Westlaw
LexisNexis
Document Review
Professional Skills
Critical Thinking
Negotiation
Oral Advocacy
Missing these keywords? Your resume might get filtered out:
JD
Bar Admission
Legal Research
Brief Writing
Litigation
Contract Law
Client Counseling
Case Management
Discovery
Settlement Negotiation
Westlaw
LexisNexis
Regulatory Compliance
Due Diligence
Legal Analysis
How to Write a Attorney Resume: Step-by-Step Guide
Choose the Right Format
For Attorneys, use a reverse-chronological format to highlight your most recent and relevant experience. Keep it to 1-2 pages max, use clean fonts like Inter or Geist Sans, and ensure plenty of white space for readability. Avoid fancy graphics or designs that might confuse ATS systems.
Optimize for ATS
Use standard section headings like "Experience" and "Education". Include keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume. Save as .pdf (not .png or .jpg). Avoid tables, columns, or graphics that ATS can't parse. Use bullet points starting with action verbs.
Quantify Your Impact
Use metrics like performance improvements, user growth, cost savings, time saved, bugs fixed, or features shipped. If exact numbers aren't available, use reasonable estimates. Transform "Built features for web application" into "Built 5 key features that increased user engagement by 30% and reduced churn by 15%".
Tailor to Each Job
Match your skills section to the job requirements. Make sure the required skills are prominently featured if you have them. Reorder bullet points to put most relevant achievements first. Adjust your professional summary to align with their company culture.
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